Interview: Stephanie Williams

“Lifetime Goth” might be an accurate way to describe Stephanie Williams, who has been hanging out in graveyards and mimicking Wednesday Addams since before she was even in high school. These days she can be found managing the Manhattan location of Beacon’s Closet by day and attending only the darkest of events at night, all while never skimping on eyeliner or attitude.

What made you start wearing eyeliner?

I think it all began with hating life in middle school. I really wanted to get the hell out of there and hang out with my older sister and her friends. The most seasoned goth industrial crowd. Milwaukee was rich with them, no shortage of big haired angry clove smoking introverts. So I just tried to figure a look out based on what would get me in the cool kids club.

Do you always wear the same style or do you experiment with different looks?

I have a pretty solid routine but If I have more time to mess around I’ll usually throw in some lipstick. I use to just wear foundation and charcoal eyeliner then got hooked on liquid eyeliner. Now I use cream eyeliner with a liner brush. Lots of eyeshadows for shading. The goal for me is sort of ‘I just rolled out of bed but my makeup looks better this morning than it did last night.’

Do you ever go without it? Like, do you need a break sometimes?

Fuck no. We’ve been in this relationship for bout 17 years now and still happily married.

What is your favorite brand and what do you wear with it to complete your look?

Foundation is key. I’m I between foundations right now but I actually like Sephora brand. Smashbox smudge pot is the best eyeliner. Bare Minerals eyeshadow, Anastasia brow pencil, any black mascara, Chanel lipstick and Bare Minerals powder.

I just never stopped once I started so it’s just a part of my daily routine, like putting my pants on to leave the house. I guess it’s been an ongoing investment in feeling secure socially but also kind of letting people know I don’t necessarily want to be approached to talk about the weather.